Travel Advisory: Should You Ditch Your Smartphone for a Burner When Visiting the U.S.?

Several countries, including Italy, Sweden, Belgium, Portugal, Spain, Poland, Bulgaria, and Canada, are advising their citizens to consider using burner phones instead of personal smartphones when traveling to the United States. This recommendation stems from increasing concerns about privacy violations and device inspections at U.S. borders.

Growing Concerns Over Digital Privacy at U.S. Borders

The advisories highlight fears of travelers’ personal data being accessed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) without warrants. Emails, messages, and cloud accounts are reportedly being scrutinized, leading to detentions and denials of entry. To mitigate these risks, officials suggest minimizing digital exposure by using burner phones.

This coordinated effort signals a significant shift in how nations view travel to the U.S., traditionally a close ally. The use of burner phones, previously advised for travel to authoritarian regimes, is now being recommended by some of Washington’s closest partners.

The Core of the Issue: Warrantless Device Inspections

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) faces increasing scrutiny for inspecting travelers’ devices without warrants. These inspections can include access to emails, social media, and cloud-stored content. Numerous reports detail instances where travelers were detained or denied entry based on content found during these searches.

Canada Led the Way with Initial Warnings

Canada was among the first to issue a travel advisory, even suggesting that citizens staying in the U.S. for more than 30 days register with Canadian authorities. This advisory followed multiple incidents of travelers facing invasive questioning based on device content.

Europe Joins the Movement

Following Canada’s lead, numerous European countries, including Spain, Italy, Belgium, and Poland, issued similar advisories. These countries cite incidents of citizens being questioned or detained due to content on their devices, ranging from political memes to social media posts.

Other nations, such as Sweden, Finland, Luxembourg, Greece, Portugal, Bulgaria, and Hungary, have also weighed in, emphasizing digital hygiene, encrypted storage, and the importance of minimizing data exposure.

EU Diplomats Take Precautions

Reports indicate that the European Union is quietly equipping its diplomats and senior officials traveling to the U.S. with burner phones and stripped-down laptops. This precaution, previously reserved for high-risk states, reflects the seriousness of the concerns.

Burner Phone Trend Extends to Intra-European Travel

Industry experts note that the burner phone trend is influencing travel within Europe. Travel advisory firms and privacy advocates recommend burner phones for hassle-free European trips, especially when crossing multiple borders or carrying sensitive information.

Many countries within the EU are reviewing border security protocols and digital privacy risks.

Examples That Triggered the Advisory Shift

Several incidents involving travelers have fueled these advisories:

• German teenagers were denied entry in Honolulu after agents allegedly found evidence of their intent to work without a permit by accessing messages on their phones.
• A Spanish journalist was detained for hours due to emails containing commentary on U.S. politics.
• A Canadian software engineer had her laptop seized due to private messages flagged in a group chat.

Economic Impact: A Potential Blow to U.S. Tourism

Tourism Economics predicts a significant drop in international travel to the U.S. in 2025, potentially resulting in substantial revenue losses. Online platforms are filled with stories of trip cancellations and concerns over digital privacy.

Protect Yourself: Tips for Travelers

If you are traveling to the U.S. or are concerned about privacy, consider the following recommendations:

• Use a burner phone without personal accounts.
• Back up data to encrypted cloud storage and wipe devices before departure.
• Log out of social media, email, and banking apps.
• Disable biometrics and use strong local passwords.
• Carry printed documentation for accommodations and finances.
• Avoid storing sensitive information on devices.

The Rise of Digital Vigilance

These burner phone advisories represent a broader trend towards digital vigilance and a growing awareness of privacy risks in international travel. The line between convenience and control is blurring, forcing travelers to prioritize privacy.

As global surveillance concerns intensify, the burner phone may become an essential travel item in 2025.